EFSA: Re‐evaluation of acesulfame K (E 950) as food additive
Popular sweetener, used in carbonated drinks, sweets and protein shakes re-evaluated following safety concerns.
Background: The EU's Scientific Committee on Food (SCF), EFSA’s predecessor, last evaluated E 950 in 2000; the Joint Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)/World Health Organization (WHO) Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) conducted its most recent evaluation in 1991. For the current opinion, the EFSA Panel on Food Additives and Flavourings (FAF Panel) re-evaluated the safety of E 950.
Main outcomes:
The Panel established an acceptable daily intake (ADI) of 15 mg/kg body weight (bw) per day based on the highest dose tested without adverse effects in a chronic toxicity and carcinogenicity study in rats; a study considered of moderate risk of bias and one of two key studies from the previous evaluations by the Scientific Committee on Food (SCF) and the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA). This revised ADI replaces the ADI of 9 mg/kg bw per day established by the SCF. The Panel noted that the highest estimate of exposure to acesulfame K (E 950) was generally below the ADI in all population groups.
Furthermore, the Panel recommended the European Commission to consider the revision of the EU specifications of acesulfame K (E 950).